Systems and methods for managing communication between devices

ABSTRACT

A system for managing power on distributed devices may include a first device having a master logic and a second device having a slave logic. The master logic may enable the first device to communicate with multiple devices having the slave logic on one or more channels. The slave logic may enable the second device having the slave logic to communicate with the first device and to communicate with a third device having the slave logic. The slave logic may enable the multiple devices having the slave logic to manage operations of the distributed devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/266,458, filed on Feb. 4, 2019, and entitled “Systems andMethods for Managing Communication Between Devices,” which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/282,722, filed on Sep. 30, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,658, andentitled “Systems and Methods for Managing Communication BetweenDevices”. The above-referenced applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to generally to operations of distributeddevices, and more specifically to the management of power on distributeddevices.

BACKGROUND

Electrically powered devices may have different power requirements anddifferent operating requirements. A single point of interface formanaging power on multiple electrically powered devices may facilitatetheir use.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to the management of power on distributeddevices. A system for managing power on distributed devices may includea first device having a master logic and a second device having a slavelogic. The master logic may enable the first device to communicate withmultiple devices having the slave logic on one or more channels. Theslave logic may enable the second device having the slave logic tocommunicate with the first device and to communicate with a third devicehaving the slave logic. The slave logic may enable the multiple deviceshaving the slave logic to manage operations of the distributed devices.

The first device may have the master logic. The first device may includeone or more single master channel connectors, a master data connector,and/or other connectors. The master logic may enable the first device tocommunicate with multiple devices having the slave logic on one or morechannels. In some implementations, the master logic may enable the firstdevice to communicate with the multiple devices having the slave logicon up to four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four channels. Thefirst device may communicate with one or more devices having the slavelogic on a single channel via a single master channel connector of thefirst device. In some implementations, the master logic may enable thefirst device to receive a signal sent on the single channel via anothersingle master channel connector of the first device.

The master logic may enable the first device to communicate with aprocessor via the master data connector. In some implementations, themaster data connector may include an inter-integrated circuit connectorand/or other connectors.

The second device may have the slave logic. The second device mayinclude two or more slave channel connectors, one or more slaveinput-output connectors, and/or other connectors. In someimplementations, the one or more slave input-output connectors mayinclude up to four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four points ofconnections.

The slave logic may enable the second device to communicate with thefirst device on the single channel via a first slave channel connectorof the second device. The slave logic may enable the second device tocommunicate with the third device having the slave logic. The slavelogic may enable the second device to communicate with the third deviceon the single channel via a second slave channel connector of the seconddevice.

The third device may have the slave logic. The third device may includetwo or more slave channel connectors and/or other connectors. The slavelogic may enable the third device to communicate with the second deviceon the single channel via a third slave channel connector of the thirddevice. The slave logic may enable the third device to communicate witha fourth device having the slave logic. The slave logic may enable thethird device to communicate with the fourth device on the single channelvia a fourth slave channel connector of the third device.

The slave logic may enable to the second device to manage operations ofone or more of the distributed devices via the one or more slaveinput-output connectors. In some implementations, one or more of thedistributed devices may include one or more power devices or one or moresensing devices. In some implementations, the second device may be apart of a power device or a sensing device. The slave logic may enablethe second device to send and/or receive one or more analog signalsand/or one or more digital signals via the one or more slaveinput-output connectors. One or more analog signals may include avoltage signal, a current signal, an analog data signal, and/or otheranalog signals. One or more digital signals may include a digitalcommand signal, a digital data signal, and/or other digital signals.

In some implementations, one or more addresses of the multiple deviceshaving the slave logic may be determined based on pulse shaving. Pulseshaving may determine the one or more address of the multiple devicesbased on a number of pulses counted by the multiple devices.

A configurable device may be provided for managing power on distributeddevices. The configurable device may include the master logic and theslave logic. The configurable device may be configured in a master modeor a slave mode. In some implementations, the configurable device may bereconfigurable between the master mode and the slave mode. In someimplementations, the configurable device may be configurable once in themaster mode or the slave mode.

The master logic may enable the configurable device configured in themaster mode to communicate with multiple devices on one or morechannels. The multiple devices may have the slave logic. Theconfigurable device configured in the master mode may communicate withone or more devices having the slave logic on a single channel via asingle master channel connector of the configurable device.

The slave logic may enable the configurable device configured in theslave mode to communicate with a master device having the master logic,communicate with a slave device having the slave logic on the singlechannel, and manage operations of one or more distributed devices. Theconfigurable device configured in the slave mode may communicate withthe master device on the single channel via a first slave channelconnector of the configurable device. The configurable device configuredin the slave mode may communicate with the slave device on the singlechannel via a second slave channel connector of the configurable device.The configurable device configured in the slave mode may manageoperations of one or more of the distributed devices via one or moreslave input-output connectors of the configurable device.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systemand/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation andfunctions of the related elements of structure and the combination ofparts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following description and the appended claims withreference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification, wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate exemplary system for managing power ondistributed devices in accordance with some implementations of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary master device for managing power ondistributed devices in accordance with some implementations of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary slave device for managing power ondistributed devices in accordance with some implementations of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate exemplary connections between a master device,slave devices, and distributed devices in accordance with someimplementations of the disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary slave device operating as a virtualmaster device in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary block diagram showing management ofdistributed devices via a master device in accordance with someimplementations of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates exemplary connections between a master device, slavedevices, and distributed devices for block diagram shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary pulse shaving used to determine addressesof slave devices in accordance with some implementations of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configurable device, a master mode, anda slave mode in accordance with some implementations of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for managing power on distributed devices inaccordance with some implementations of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates exemplary system 10 for managing power ondistributed devices. System 10 may include master device 100 and one ormore slave devices (e.g., slave device A 210, slave device B 220).Master device 100 may have a master logic and slave devices 210, 220 mayhave a slave logic. The master logic may enable master device 100 tocommunicate with multiple slave devices 210, 220 having the slave logicon one or more channels (e.g., channel A 106A). The slave logic mayenable slave device A 210 to communicate with master device 100 and tocommunicate with slave device B 220. The slave logic may enable slavedevices 210, 220 to manage operations of one or more of the distributeddevices (e.g., 310, 320, 330, 340). Distributed devices 310, 320, 330,340 may refer to devices that require power to operate. One or more ofdistributed devices 310, 320, 330, 340 may change the delivery of powerto other devices. One or more components of system 10 may be configuredto perform one or more steps of method 700 described below withreference to FIG. 7.

Master device 100 may provide a single point of interface for managingpower on distributed devices 310, 320, 330, 340. Master device 100 mayhave the master logic and/or other logics. Master device 100 may includeone or more connectors. A connector may refer to one or more hardwareand/or software that enables connections between two or more devices. Aconnector may enable wired and/or wireless connections between two ormore devices. As non-limiting examples, a connector may include one ormore of a male connector, a female connector, a conductor, a pin, asocket, a node, an access point, and/or other connectors. Asnon-limiting examples, a wireless connector may enable one or more ofradio connection, Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi connection, cellularconnection, infrared connection, optical connection, or other wirelessconnections.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2A, master device 100 may include some or allof the following connectors: V_(IN) 101, Ground 102, PLI 103, a set ofmaster data connectors 104 (e.g., SCL 104A, SDA 104B), a set of singlemaster channel connectors 105 (e.g., MCC-A 105A, MCC-B 105B, MCC-C 105C,MCC-D 105D). V_(IN) 101 may enable connection between master device 100and a power source. Ground 102 may enable connection between masterdevice 100 and a ground. PLI 103 may refer to a power loss interruptconnector (described herein). Master device 100 may include otherconnectors. Master device 100 may include other components not shown inFIGS. 1A and 2A. For example, master device 100 may include one or moreof a processor, a memory (volatile and/or non-volatile), internal andexternal connections, and/or other components.

The master logic may enable master device 100 to communicate withmultiple devices having the slave logic on one or more channels. Forexample, the master logic may enable master device 100 to communicatewith slave device A 210, slave device B 220, and/or other slave deviceson channel A 106A. Master device 100 may communicate with slave device A210, slave device B 220, and/or other slave devices on channel A 106Avia a single master channel connector (MCC-A 105A) of master device 100.In some implementations, the master logic may enable master device 100to communicate with multiple devices having the slave logic on up tofour, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, sixty-four, or other channel numbersof powers of two. Other numbers of channels are contemplated.

The communication between master device 100 and one or more of slavedevice A 210, slave device B 220, and/or other slave devices on channelA 106A may be clockless. The communication between master device 100 andone or more of slave device A 210, slave device B 220, and/or otherslave devices on channel A 106A may be bidirectional. For example, slavedevice A 210 and/or slave device B 220 may report on their operatingstatus (e.g., schedule reports or unscheduled/emergency reports/faultreporting) and/or address to master device 100 via communication onchannel A 106A. In some implementations, the communication on channel A106A may include 16-bit commands, comprised of 4-bit unit address, 4-bitregister address, and 8-bit command data. Other sizes of commands arecontemplated.

The communication from master device 100 may include individualcommunications including commands addressed to individual slave devicesand/or may include combined communications including multiple commandaddressed to multiple slave devices. The communication on channel A 106Amay follow one or more industry protocols/standards or follow otherprotocols/standards. In some implementations, communications betweenmaster device 100 and one or more slave devices may use a power-linecommunication protocol.

Communication on one or more channels may be implemented via aclosed-gate configuration or an open-gate configuration. In aclosed-gate configuration, the connections between devices on a channelmay be established and communications on the channel may be available toall devices connected to the channel. The communications on the channelmay be available to all devices connected to the channel simultaneouslyor nearly simultaneously. For example, in FIG. 1A, the connectionbetween master device 100 and slave device A 210 and the connectionbetween slave device A 210, slave device B 220 may be established andcommunications from master device 100 on channel A 106A may be availableto both slave device A 210 and slave device B 220. Establishing theconnections between the devices on a channel may effectively create abus that allows all slave devices on the channel to receive (for aperiod of time) communications from master device 100 or communicationsfrom one or more slave devices. The connections between the devices on achannel may be established after the addresses of the individual deviceson the channel have been determined (e.g., via pulse shaving or otheraddressing methods).

In an open-gate configuration, one or more connections between deviceson a channel may be open and communications on the channel may berelayed to one or more devices on the channel. For example, in FIG. 1A,the connection between slave device A 210 and slave device B 220 may beopen and communication from master device 100 may not be availabledirectly to slave device B 220 until the connection between slave deviceA 210 and slave device B 220 is established. Based on a communicationfrom master device 100 being directed to slave device B 220, thecommunication from master device 100 may be buffered in memory of slavedevice A 210. The connection between slave device A 210 and slave deviceB 220 may be established and the communication stored in the memory ofslave device A 210 may be sent to slave device B 220.

In some implementations, the master logic may enable master device 100to receive a signal sent on a single channel via another single masterchannel connector of master device 100. Such configuration may bereferred to as a dual-pin configuration. An exemplary dual-pinconfiguration is shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B, connections of masterdevice 100 to channel A 106A may include a single master channelconnector (MCC-A 105A) of master device 100 and another single masterchannel connector (MCC-D 105D) of master device 100.

In some implementations, communications on channel A 106A may proceed ina clockwise manner. For example, a signal sent by master device 100 maytravel from a single master channel connector (MCC-A 105A) of masterdevice 100 to a first slave channel connector 214A of slave device A210, from a second slave channel connector 214B of slave device A 210 toa first slave channel connector 224A of slave device B 220, from asecond slave channel connector 224B of slave device B 220 to anothersingle master channel connector (MCC-D 105D) of master device 100.

In some implementations, communications on channel A 106A may proceed ina counter-clockwise manner. For example, a signal sent by master device100 may travel from a single master channel connector (MCC-D 105D) ofmaster device 100 to the second slave channel connector 224B of slavedevice B 220, from the first slave channel connector 224A of slavedevice B 220 to the second slave channel connector 214B of slave deviceA 210, from the first slave channel connector 214A of slave device A 210to another single master channel connector (MCC-A 105A) of master device100.

A dual-pin configuration may provide a loop-back path for redundantcommunication paths. For example, if the connection between masterdevice 100 and slave device A 210 is broken, master device 100 maycommunicate with slave device B 220 via MCC-D 105D. A dual-pinconfiguration of system 10 may provide a return path for check oncommunications on channel A 106A. For example, master device 100 maysend a signal on MCC-A 105A and receive the signal via MCC-D 105D. Thesignal sent on MCC-A 105A may be compared with the signal received onMCC-D 105D to confirm that the signal was not altered duringtransmission or altered as expected during transmission.

The master logic may enable master device 100 to communicate with aprocessor (e.g., SSD controller, system controller, microcontroller,CPU, GPU, application specific standard product) via set of master dataconnectors 104. Communication between the processor and master device100 may allow for monitoring and/or controlling of slave devices and/ordistributed devices by the processor. Set of master data connectors 104may include one or more connectors that allows master device 100 to sendand/or receive information regarding operations of slaves devices (e.g.,slave device A 210, slave device B 220) and/or distributed devices(e.g., distributed devices 310, 320, 330, 340). In some implementations,master device 100 may be part of a device containing the processor ormay be part of the processor. In such a case, set of master dataconnectors 104 may be effectuated via software and/or internal hardwareof the device/processor (e.g., connections made on a circuit board,connections made in silicon, logical programming of the processor).

The communication between the processor and master device 100 may followone or more industry protocols/standards. For example, set of masterdata connectors 104 may include an inter-integrated circuit connector(e.g., SCL 104A, SDA 104B) and/or other connectors. The processor mayreceive from and/or send to master device 100 information regardingslave devices and/or distributed devices via communication that followsthe inter-integrated circuit protocol. Uses of other types ofprotocols/standards that allow for communication between master device100 and a processor are contemplated.

A slave device may provide a single point of interface for managingpower on one or more distributed devices. For example, slave device A210 may provide a single point of interface for managing power ondistributed device A 310 and distributed device B 320, and slave deviceB 220 may provide a single point of interface for managing power ondistributed device C 330 and distributed device D 340. Slave devices(e.g., slave device A 210, slave device B 220) may have the slave logicand/or other logics. Slave devices may include one or more connectors.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2B, slave device A 210 may include some or allof the following connectors: V_(IN) 211, Ground 212, PLI 213, a set ofslave channel connectors 214 (e.g., first slave channelconnector/D_(NEAR) 214A, second slave channel connector/D_(FAR) 214B), aset of slave input-output connectors 215 (e.g., GP-A 215A, GP-B 215B,GP-C 215C, GP-D 215D). V_(IN) 211 may enable connection between slavedevice A 210 and a power source. Ground 212 may enable connectionbetween slave device A 210 and a ground. PLI 213 may refer to a powerloss interrupt connector (described herein). Although set of slaveinput-output connectors 215 are shown to include four points ofconnections (GP-A 215A, GP-B 215B, GP-C 215C, GP-D 215D) in FIG. 2B,this is illustrative and not limiting. Set of slave input-outputconnectors 215 may include up to four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two,sixty-four, or other points of connections of powers of two. Othernumbers of points of connections are contemplated. Slave device A 210may include other connectors. Slave device B 210 may include some or allof the connectors described for slave device A 210.

A slave device may include other components not shown in FIGS. 1A and2B. For example, slave device A 210 and/or slave device B 220 mayinclude one or more of a processor, a memory (volatile and/ornon-volatile), internal and external connections, and/or othercomponents. Different slave devices may include the same components. Forexample, different slave devices may include one kilobyte ofnon-volatile memory. Different slave devices may include differentcomponents. For example, different slave devices may includenon-volatile memory of different sizes. Some slave devices may includenon-volatile memory while other slave devices may not includenon-volatile memory.

The slave logic may enable slave device A 210 to communicate with masterdevice 100 on channel A 106A. Slave device A 210 may communicate withmaster device 100 on channel A 106A via first slave channelconnector/D_(NEAR) 214A of slave device A 210. The slave logic mayenable slave device A 210 to communicate with slave device B 220 havingthe slave logic. The slave logic may enable slave device A 210 tocommunicate with slave device B 220 on channel A 106A via second slavechannel connector/D_(FAR) 214B of slave device A 210.

The slave logic may enable slave device B 220 to communicate with slavedevice A 210 on channel A 106A via first slave channelconnector/D_(NEAR) 224A of slave device B 220. The slave logic mayenable slave device B 220 to communicate with another slave device onchannel A 106A via second slave channel connector/D_(FAR) 224B of slavedevice B 220. Referring to FIG. 1B, the slave logic may enable slavedevice B 220 to communicate with master device 100 via second slavechannel connector/D_(FAR) 224B of slave device B 220.

The slave logic may enable to slave device A 210 to manage operations ofdistributed device A 310 and/or distributed device B 320 via the set ofslave input-output connectors 215. The slave logic may enable to slavedevice B 220 to manage operations of distributed device C 330 and/ordistributed device D 340 via the set of slave input-output connectors225. While FIG. 1A shows a single connection line between sets of slaveinput-output connectors 215, 225 and individual distributed devices 310,320, 340, this is merely for ease of reference and is not limiting.Connections between sets of slave input-output connectors 215, 225 andindividual distributed devices 310, 320, 340 may include one or multipleconnections.

In some implementations, one or more distributed devices 310, 320, 330,340 may include one or more power devices or one or more sensingdevices. Power devices may refer to devices that change/control thedelivery of power to other devices. As non-limiting examples, powerdevices may include a step-down converter, a step-up converter, a loadswitch, a power loss protector, an amplifier, a voltage regulator, acurrent regulator, an AC-to-DC converter, a DC-to-AC converter, a linearregulator and/or other power devices. Sensing devices may refer todevices that monitor the operating conditions of one or more devices. Asnon-limiting examples, sensing devices may monitor one or more oftemperature, voltage, current, fan speed, air flow, power, power factor,battery level, light level/color, and/or other operating conditions.

In some implementations, a slave device may be part of a distributeddevice, such as a power device or a sensing device. For example, slavedevice B 220 may be part of distributed device C 330. Distributed deviceC 330 may implement the slave logic of slave devices. In such a case,some or all of the set of slave input-output connectors 225 may beeffectuated via software and/or internal hardware of distributed deviceC 330 (e.g., connections made on a circuit board, connections made insilicon, logical programming of the distributed device C 330).Distributed device C 330 may include slave input-output connectors 225that allows distributed device C 330 to manage operations of distributeddevice D 340.

The slave logic may enable a slave device to send and/or receive one ormore analog signals and/or one or more digital signals via one or moreslave input-output connectors. One or more analog signals may include avoltage signal, a current signal, an analog data signal, and/or otheranalog signals. One or more digital signals may include a digitalcommand signal, a digital data signal, and/or other digital signals. Forexample, the slave logic may enable slave device A 210 to send and/orreceive analog signals and/or digital signals to distributed device A310 and/or distributed device B 320 via set of slave input-outputconnectors 215. The slave logic may enable slave device B 220 to sendand/or receive analog signals and/or digital signals to distributeddevice C 330 and/or distributed device D 340 via set of slaveinput-output connectors 225. In some implementations, the slave logicmay enable a slave device to send and/or receive one or more signalsusing pulse width modulation. For example, the slave logic may enableslave device B 220 to send and/or receive signals using pulse widthmodulation via set of slave input-output connectors 225. Pulse widthmodulation may include non-synchronous pulse width modulation using asingle connection of set of slave input-output connectors 225 orsynchronous modulation using multiple connections of set of slaveinput-output connectors 225.

FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary connections between master device 100,slave devices 210, 220, and distributed devices 310, 320, 330.Distributed device A 310 and distributed device C 330 may implement theslave logic. Master Device 100 may communicate with system controller400 via SCL and SDA of master device 100. SCL and SDA of master device100 may implement communications using inter-integrated circuitprotocol. Master device 100 may communicate with slave device A 210and/or the slave logic portion of distributed device C 330 on channel B106B. Master device 100 may communicate with the slave logic portion ofdistributed device A 310 and/or slave device B 220 on channel D 106D.

Communication from master device 100 to slave device A 210 and/ordistributed device C 330 may be sent from a single master channelconnector (M-B) of master device 100 to a first slave channel connector(D_(NEAR)) of slave device A 210, from a second slave channel connector(D_(FAR)) of slave device A 210 to a first slave channel connector(D_(NEAR)) of distributed device C 330, and from a second slave channelconnector (D_(FAR)) of distributed device C 330 to another single masterchannel connector (M-C) of master device 100, or in reverse order. Thedual-pin configuration using two single master channel connectors (M-Band M-C) of master device 100 may provide a loop-back path and/or areturn path for channel B 106B.

Communication from master device 100 to distributed device A 310 and/orslave device B 220 may be sent from a single master channel connector(M-D) of master device 100 to a first slave channel connector (D_(NEAR))of distributed device A 310, from a second slave channel connector(D_(FAR)) of distributed device A 310 to a first slave channel connector(D_(NEAR)) of slave device B 220.

In FIG. 3A, slave device A 210 may not be connected to any distributeddevices and may be performing a pass-through function (passingcommunications between master device 100 and distributed device C 330).Slave device B 220 may be connected to distributed device B 320 via aset of slave input-output connectors (GP-A, GP-B, GP-C, GP-D) of slavedevice B 220. Connections between the set of slave input-outputconnectors of slave device B 220 and distributed device B 320 may allowfor slave device B 220 to manage operation of distributed device B 320.Slave device B 220 may manage operation of distributed device B 320based on communications between slave device B 220 and master device100. Master device 100 may communicate with slave device B 220 based oncommunications between master device 100 and system controller 400.

FIG. 3B illustrates exemplary connections between master device 100,slave devices 210, 220, 230, 240, and distributed devices 310, 320, 330.Communications from master device 100 may be sent from a single masterchannel connector (M-A) of master device 100 to one or more devicesconnected to channel A 106A. Devices connected to channel A 106A mayinclude slave device D 240, and/or other devices. Communications frommaster device 100 may be sent from a single master channel connector(M-B) of master device 100 to one or more devices connected to channel B106B. Devices connected to channel B 106B may include slave device A210, slave device B 220, slave device C 230, and/or other devices. Slavedevice A 210 may be connected to distributed device A 310 via a set ofslave input-output connectors (GP-A, GP-B, GP-C, GP-D) of slave device A210. Slave device B 220 may be connected to distributed device B 320 viaa set of slave input-output connectors (GP-A, GP-B, GP-C, GP-D) of slavedevice B 220. Slave device C 230 may be connected to distributed deviceC 330 via a set of slave input-output connectors (GP-A, GP-B, GP-C,GP-D) of slave device C 230. Other connections between slave devices anddistributed devices are contemplated.

Distributed device A 310 may include some or all of the followingconnectors: PowerGood, Enable, V_(OUT), I_(LIMIT). Distributed device A310 may include a buck and/or other devices. GP-A of slave device A 210may receive digital input from PowerGood of distributed device A 310.GP-B of slave device A 210 may send digital output to Enable ofdistributed device A 310. GP-C of slave device A 210 may receive analoginput from V_(OUT) of distributed device A 310. GP-D of slave device A210 may send analog output to I_(LIMIT) of distributed device A 310.Connections between slave device A 210 and distributed device A 310 mayenable master device 100/slave device A 210 to manage operations ofdistributed device A 310.

Distributed device B 320 may include some or all of the followingconnectors: SCL, SDA, V_(OUT), PLI. Distributed device B 330 may includea buck and/or other devices. GP-A of slave device B 220 may send/receiveclock signal to/from SCL of distributed device B 320. GP-B of slavedevice B 220 may send/receive data signal to/from SDA of distributeddevice B 320. GP-C of slave device B 220 may receive analog input fromV_(OUT) of distributed device B 320. GP-D of slave device B 220 mayreceive digital fault input from PLI of distributed device B 320.Connections between slave device B 220 and distributed device B 320 mayenable master device 100/slave device B 220 to manage operations ofdistributed device B 320.

Distributed device C 330 may include some or all of the followingconnectors: Enable, CurrentSense, V_(OUT), I_(LIMIT). Distributed deviceC 330 may include an over-voltage protection switch and/or otherdevices. GP-A of slave device C 230 may send digital output to Enable ofdistributed device C 330. GP-B of slave device C 230 may receive analoginput from CurrentSense of distributed device C 330. GP-C of slavedevice C 230 may receive analog input from V_(OUT) of distributed deviceC 330. GP-D of slave device C 230 may send analog output to I_(LIMIT) ofdistributed device C 330. Connections between slave device C 230 anddistributed device C 330 may enable master device 100/slave device C 230to manage operations of distributed device C 330.

In some implementations, a slave device may operate as a virtual masterdevice. For example, in FIG. 3C, communication from master device 100 toslave device A 210 and/or slave device B 220 may be sent from a singlemaster channel connector (M-A) of master device 100 to a first slavechannel connector (D_(NEAR)) of slave device A 210, and from a secondslave channel connector (D_(FAR)) of slave device A 210 to a first slavechannel connector (D_(NEAR)) of slave device B 220. Slave Device A 210may be operating as a virtual master device. One or more slaveinput-output connectors of slave device A 210 (e.g., GP-A) may operateas a virtual single master channel connector of the virtual masterdevice. Communication from slave device A 210 (the virtual masterdevice), which may originate from slave device A 210, master device 100,and/or other devices, may be sent on channel A-A 106A-A including slavedevice A-1 211, slave device A-2 212, slave device A-n 213, and/or otherdevices. Channel A-A 106A-A may include communications different from orsame as communications on channel A 106A. For example, slave device A210 may duplicate communications on channel A 106A on channel A-A106A-A. Channel A-A 106A-A may operate as an extension of channel A106A. As another example, slave device A 210 may relay communicationsintended for devices connected to channel A-A 106A-A on channel A-A106A-A. Channel A-A 106A-A may operate as a sub-channel of channel A106A.

In some implementations, a slave device may manage operations of two ormore distributed devices. For example, a set of slave input-outputconnectors for a slave device may include sixteen points of connections.The slave device may manage operations of two distributed devices thateach require eight points of connections; a first distributed devicethat requires six points of connections and a second distributed devicethat requires ten or less points of connections, and/or othercombinations of distributed devices that requires a total of less thanor equal to sixteen points of connections.

In some implementations, multiple slave devices may manage operations ofa single distributed device. For example, two slave device may eachinclude a set of slave input-output connectors including eight points ofconnections. The two slave devices may operations of a singledistributed device that requires more than eight points of connectionand less than or equal to sixteen points of connections. Othercombinations of slave devices and distributed devices are contemplated.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary block diagram showing management ofdistributed devices via master device 100 and slave devices (not shownin FIG. 4A). Master device 100 may communicate with one or more slavedevices on channel A 106A via a single master channel connector (MCC-A105A) of master device 100. Master device 100 may communicate with oneor more slave devices on channel B 106B via a single master channelconnector (MCC-B 105B) of master device 100. Master device 100 maycommunicate with one or more slave devices on channel C 106C via asingle master channel connector (MCC-C 105C) of master device 100.Master device 100 may communicate with one or more slave devices onchannel D 106D via a single master channel connector (MCC-D 105D) ofmaster device 100.

One or more slave devices on channel A 106A may manage operations of oneor more distributed devices (e.g., Buck A 411, Buck B 412, Load Switch A421). One or more slave devices on channel B 106B may manage operationsof one or more distributed devices (e.g., Load Switch B 422, Buck C 413,Load Switch C 423). One or more slave devices on channel C 106C maymanage operations of one or more distributed devices (e.g., Buck D 414,Load Switch D 424). One or more slave devices on channel D 106D maymanage operations of one or more distributed devices (e.g., PLP A 431).

Managing operations of the distributed devices may include monitoringand/or controlling the operations of the distributed devices. Forexample, master device 100 may communicate with one or more slavedevices to control the target voltage and/or target current of one ormore distributed devices 411, 412, 413, 414, 421, 422, 423, 424, 431.Master device 100 may communicate with one or more slave devices tomonitor the actual voltage and/or actual current of one or moredistributed devices 411, 412, 413, 414, 421, 422, 423, 424, 431. Asnon-limiting examples, master device 100 may communicate with one ormore slave devices to control/monitor power levels of distributeddevices, brightness/color of distributed devices (e.g. lightingdevices), voltage output/input of distributed devices, currentoutput/input of distributed devices, AC-DC conversion by distributeddevices, communication between distributed devices, load of distributeddevices, temperature of distributed devices, fault reporting bydistributed devices, and/or other operating parameters of distributeddevices. Other controls and/or monitoring of distributed devices arecontemplated.

There may be a time delay between monitoring and control of distributeddevices. For example, a slave device may send a first signal to adistributed device via one or more connections between the slave deviceand the distributed device, and may receive a second signal from thedistributed device via the one or more connections. There may be a timedelay between the slave device's sending of the first signal andreception of the second signal. The time delay may allow for thedistributed device to change its operation based on the first signalbefore sending the second signal.

In some implementations, the numbers of slave devices and/or distributeddevices connected to a channel and/or a master device may be used toprovide encryption. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates exemplaryconnections between master device 100, slave devices 451, 461, 462, 463,471, 472, 473, 474, 481, and distributed devices 411, 412, 413, 414,421, 422, 423, 424, 431 for block diagram shown in FIG. 4A. Channel A106A may include slave device A-1 451 connected to three distributeddevices 411, 412, 421. Channel B 106B may include slave device B-1 461connected to one distributed device 422, slave device B-2 462 connectedto one distributed device 413, and slave device B-3 463 connected to onedistributed device 423. Channel C 106C may include slave device C-1 471connected to one distributed device 414, slave device C-2 472 notconnected to any distributed devices, slave device C-3 473 not connectedto any distributed devices, and slave device C-4 474 connected to onedistributed device 424. Channel D 106D may include slave device D-1 481connected to one distributed device 431. Encryption for access and/oruse of master device 100 may be contingent on a user providing a correctpasscode and/or other information.

The passcode may be based on the number of slave devices and/ordistributed devices connected to master device 100. For example, thepasscode may include and/or may be derived from digits 1-3-4-1 (numberof slave devices connected to individual channels of master device 100).The passcode may include and/or may be derived from digits 3-3-2-1(number of distributed devices connected to individual channels ofmaster device 100). The passcode may include and/or may be derived fromdigits based on numbers of slave devices and numbers of distributeddevices (e.g., 1-3-3-3-4-2-1-1). The passcode and/or digits from whichpasscode is derived may depend on whether distributed devices areconnected to slave devices. For example, the passcode may include and/ormay be derived from digits 1-3-2-1 (number of slave devices that areconnected to distributed devices). Other combinations of numbers ofslave devices and/or distributed devices connected to a channel and/or amaster device may be used to provide encryption.

In some implementations, one or more addresses of slave devices may bedetermined based on pulse shaving. Pulse shaving may determine theaddresses of slave devices based on a number of pulses counted by theslave devices. FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary pulses sent down a channel.In FIG. 5, a single channel may include fifteen slave devices (e.g.,slave devices #1-15). As another example, the single channel shown inFIG. 5 may include sixteen slave devices (e.g., slave devices #0-15).Master device 100 may send out sixteen pulses on the channel. #15 slavedevice 515 may shave off a pulse, count the remaining fifteen pulses,and send fifteen pulses down the channel. #14 slave device 514 may shaveoff a pulse, count the remaining fourteen pulses, and send fourteenpulses down the channel. The pulses may be subsequently shaved andcounted by individual slave devices until #1 slave device (not shown)shaves off a pulse and counts one pulse. Individual slave devices maydetermine its address/location in the channel based on the number ofpulses counted by it. For example, #15 slave device may determine itsaddress/location in the channel based on the fifteen pulses counted by#15 slave device 515. In some implementations, the pulses may be countedby the slave devices before a pulse is shaved off.

Pulse shaving may allow for position-oriented addressing of slavedevices on a channel—i.e., addresses of slave devices on a channel aredetermined based on locations of the slave devices in the channel. Theuse of pulse shaving may allow for addressing of multiple devices usinga single connector rather than multiple connectors. In someimplementations, pulse-shaved addressing on a channel may be effectuatedusing communications implemented via the open-gate configuration.Connections between slave devices may be established as the shavedpulses are relayed down a channel. The connections between the slavedevices may remain established after the shaved pulses are relayed downthe channel. In such a case, the pulse shaving on the channel may becommunicated via the open-gate configuration and subsequent signals onthe channel may be communicated via the closed-gate configuration.

In some implementations, pulse adding may be used to determine addressesof slave devices in a channel. In pulse adding, individual slave devicesmay receive pulse(s) from a preceding device, add a pulse, count thepulses, and send the pulses to the next device. In some implementations,the pulses may be counted by the slave devices before a pulse is added.Other methods of addressing may be used to determine addresses of slavedevices in a channel.

In some implementations, pulse shaving (or adding) may be used toconfirm the configuration of slave devices connected to a channel. Forexample, pulse shaving may be used on power up to determine the numberof slave devices on a channel, and may at a later time be used toconfirm that the same number of slave devices are connected to thechannel. A difference in the number of slave devices detected via pulseshaving (or adding) may indicate a change in the system and/or a loss ofconnection to one or more slave devices.

Master device 100 and slave devices (e.g., slave device A 210, slavedevice B 220) may include a power loss interrupt connector (e.g., PLI103, PLI 213). A PLI may provide an unmasked interrupt signal inresponse to a power loss on a master device 100 or a slave device 210,220. A PLI may fail high, and a device that loses power may use the failsignal from PLI for a brown-out ride through the power loss. Use of thefail signal from PLI may enable the device that loses power to maintainsome or all of its operating status and/or allow the device to return toa known state when power is restored, i.e., the device does not resetits state on power loss. In some implementations, one or more PLIs maybe connected to other PLIs. For example, PLI 103 of master device 100maybe connected to PLI 213 of slave device A 210. On power loss, masterdevice 100 and/or slave device A 210 may use fail signal(s) from PLI 103and/or PLI 213.

One or more devices in system 10 may use main power (V_(CC_MAIN)) andauxiliary power (V_(CC_Aux)). In some implementations, PLI fail signalmay provide auxiliary power for one or more devices in system 10. Mainpower may be higher, the same as, or lower than auxiliary power. Asnon-limiting examples, main voltages may include 3.3V, 5V, 9V, 12V, 20V,33V, 40V, 48V, ranges of voltages and/or other voltages. As non-limitingexamples, auxiliary voltages may include 2.5V, 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 33V, 40V,48V, ranges of voltages, or other voltages. In some implementations,system 10 may boost lower auxiliary voltages to provide higher mainvoltages. In some implementations, system 10 may buck higher auxiliaryvoltages to provide lower main voltages. In some implementations, system10 may provide for switching between main power, auxiliary power, and/orother power for delivery of power to one or more devices. Switchingbetween different power sources may allow system 10 to reduce the amountof power loss in delivery.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configurable device 600 for managingpower on distributed devices. Configurable device 600 may include themaster logic, the slave logic, and/or other logics. Configurable device600 may include some or all of the following connectors: V_(IN) 601,Ground 602, PLI 603, a set of data connectors 604 (e.g., Data A 604A,Data B 604B), a set of input/output connectors 605 (e.g., I/O-A 605A,I/O-B 605B, I/O-C 605C, I/O-D 605D). Configurable device 600 may includeother connectors. Configurable device 600 may include other componentsnot shown in FIG. 6. For example, configurable device 600 may includeone or more of a processor, a memory (volatile and/or non-volatile),internal and external connections, and/or other components.

Configurable device 600 may be configured in a master mode, a slavemode, or other modes. In some implementations, configurable device 600may be reconfigurable between the master mode and the slave mode. Insome implementations, configurable device 600 may be configurable oncein the master mode or the slave mode, i.e., configurable device 600 maybe one-time programmable.

The master mode may enable configurable device 600 to use the set ofdata connectors 604 (e.g., Data A 604A, Data B 604B) as a set of masterdata connectors 614 (e.g., SCL 614A, SDA 614B). The master logic mayenable configurable device 600 configured in the master mode tocommunicate with a processor. Configurable device 600 configured in themaster mode may communicate with the processor via a set of master dataconnectors 614 (e.g., SCL 614A, SDA 614B).

The master mode may enable configurable device 600 to use the set ofinput/output connectors 605 (e.g., I/O-A 605A, I/O-B 605B, I/O-C 605C,I/O-D 605D) as a set of single master channel connectors 615 (e.g.,MCC-A 615A, MCC-B 615B, MCC-C 615C, MCC-D 615D). The master logic mayenable configurable device 600 configured in the master mode tocommunicate with multiple devices on one or more channels. The multipledevices may have the slave logic. Configurable device 600 configured inthe master mode may communicate with one or more devices having theslave logic on a single channel via a single master channel connector615 (e.g., MCC-A 615A, MCC-B 615B, MCC-C 615C, MCC-D 615D) ofconfigurable device 600.

The slave mode may enable configurable device 600 to use the set of dataconnectors 604 (e.g., Data A 604A, Data B 604B) as a set of slavechannel connectors 624 (e.g., D_(NEAR) 624A, D_(FAR) 624B). The slavelogic may enable configurable device 600 configured in the slave mode tocommunicate with a master device having the master logic and communicatewith a slave device having the slave logic on a single channel.Configurable device 600 configured in the slave mode may communicatewith the master device on the single channel via D_(NEAR) 624A ofconfigurable device 600. Configurable device 600 configured in the slavemode may communicate with the slave device on the single channel viaD_(FAR) 624B of configurable device 600.

The slave mode may enable configurable device 600 to use the set ofinput/output connectors 605 (e.g., I/O-A 605A, I/O-B 605B, I/O-C 605C,I/O-D 605D) as a set of slave input-output connectors 625 including fourpoints of connections (e.g., GP-A 625A, GP-B 625B, GP-C 625C, GP-D625D). The slave logic may enable configurable device 600 configured inthe slave mode to manage operations of one or more distributed devices.Configurable device 600 configured in the slave mode may manageoperations of one or more distributed devices via one or more slaveinput-output connectors 625 of configurable device 600.

The number of connectors shown in FIG. 6 are illustrative and notlimiting. For example, configurable device 600 may include more or lessdata connectors 604, more or less input/output connectors 605, more orless master data connector 614, more or less single master channelconnectors 615, more or less slave channel connectors 624, and/or moreor less slave input-output connectors 625.

FIG. 7 illustrates method 700 for managing power on distributed devices.The operations of method 700 presented below are intended to beillustrative. In some implementations, method 700 may be accomplishedwith one or more additional operations not described, and/or without oneor more of the operations discussed. In some implementations, two ormore of the operations may occur substantially simultaneously.

At operation 710, a first communication from a first device may be senton a single channel. The first device may have a master logic and maysend the first communication via a single master channel connector ofthe first device. The master logic may enable the first device tocommunicate with multiple devices on one or more channels. The multipledevices may have a slave logic. The multiple devices may include asecond device and a third device. The slave logic may enable the seconddevice to communicate with the first device on the single channel via afirst slave channel connector of the second device and communicate withthe third device on the single channel via a second slave channelconnector of the second device. The first communication may cause thesecond device to manage operations of one or more distributed devicesvia one or more slave input-output connectors of the second device.

At operation 720, a second communication from the second device on thesingle channel may be received. The second communication may be receivedby the first device. The second communication may include informationabout the operations of the one or more distributed devices.

In some implementations, operations and structure of the first devicemay be the same as or similar to master device 100 (shown in FIGS. 1Aand 2A and described herein). In some implementations, operations andstructure of the second device and the third device may be the same asor similar to slave device A 210 (shown in FIGS. 1A and 2B and describedherein).

Spatially relative terms such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,”“upper,” and the like, are used for ease of description to explain thepositioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in additionto different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further,terms such as “first,” “second,” and the like, are also used to describevarious elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended tobe limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

As used herein, the terms “having,” “containing,” “including,”“comprising,” and the like are open ended terms that indicate thepresence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additionalelements or features. The articles “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainimplementations and examples, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that the present invention extends beyond the specificallydisclosed implementations to other alternative implementations and/oruses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof.Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention hereindisclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedimplementations described above.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeabilityof various features from different implementations. In addition to thevariations described herein, other known equivalents for each featurecan be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art toconstruct analogous systems and techniques in accordance with principlesof the present invention.

It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantagesmay be achieved in accordance with any particular implementation of theinvention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A master device for managing communicationbetween the master device and multiple slave devices, the master devicecomprising: a master channel connector; and master logic enabling themaster device to exchange clockless communication with the multipleslave devices on a single channel over a wired serial connection via themaster channel connector.
 2. The master device of claim 1, wherein themaster logic enables the master device to receive a signal sent on thesingle channel via another single master channel connector of the masterdevice.
 3. The master device of claim 1, wherein the master deviceaddresses the slave devices using at least one of pulse shaving andpulse adding.
 4. The master device of claim 1, wherein the master devicecommunicates using at least one of an open-gate configuration and aclosed-gate configuration.
 5. The master device of claim 1, wherein themaster logic further enables the master device to communicate with aprocessor via a master data connector.
 6. The master device of claim 5,wherein the master data connector includes an inter-integrated circuitconnector.
 7. The master device of claim 1, further comprising: up tofour, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four of the master channelconnectors, wherein the master logic enables the master device tocommunicate with different sets of the multiple slave devices on up tofour, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four single-channels.
 8. Themaster device of claim 1, wherein the master channel connectors enable aloop-back connection for the wired serial connection between the masterdevice and the slave devices having the slave logic on the singlechannel such that a first signal transmitted by the master device on thesingle channel via a first one of the master channel connectors isreceived by the master device via a second one of the master channelconnectors.
 9. A system for managing communication between devices, thesystem comprising: a master device comprising: a master channelconnector, and master logic enabling the master device to exchangeclockless communication with the multiple slave devices on a singlechannel over a wired serial connection via the master channel connector;and a first slave device comprising: a first slave channel connector, asecond slave channel connector, and slave logic; wherein the first slavechannel connector enables connection of the first slave device with themaster channel connector.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein: the secondslave channel connector enables connection of the first slave devicewith a third slave channel connector of a second slave device having theslave logic; and the slave logic enables the second slave device to:communicate with the master device on the single channel via the firstslave channel connector of the first slave device, and communicate withthe second slave device on the single channel via the second slavechannel connector of the second slave device.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the slave logic enables the second slave device to:communicate with the first slave device on the single channel via thethird slave channel connector of the second slave device; andcommunicate with a third slave device on the single channel via a fourthslave channel connector of the second slave device, the fourth slavedevice having the slave logic.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein themaster logic further enables the master device to communicate with aprocessor via a master data connector.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the master data connector includes an inter-integrated circuitconnector.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first slave devicefurther comprises: multiple slave-input-output connectors, wherein themultiple slave-input-output connectors enable connection of the firstslave device with one or more distributed devices, and wherein the slavelogic further enables the first slave device to manage operations of theone or more distributed devices via one or more of the multiple slaveinput-output connectors.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the slavelogic further enables the first slave device to send or receive ananalog signal or a digital signal via the one or more of the multipleslave input-output connectors.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein thedistributed devices include a power device.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the first slave device is a part of the power device.
 18. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the master device further comprises: up tofour, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four of the master channelconnectors, wherein the master logic enables the master device tocommunicate with different sets of the multiple slave devices on up tofour, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four single-channels.
 19. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the multiple slave input-output connectorsinclude up to four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, or sixty-four points ofconnections.
 20. The system of claim 9, wherein the master channelconnectors enable a loop-back connection for the wired serial connectionbetween the master device and the slave devices on the single-channelsuch that a first signal transmitted by the master device on the singlechannel via a first one of the master channel connectors is received bythe master device via a second one of the master channel connectors.